Bottle carrier



Aug. l2, 1941. N. sNELLlNG BOTTLE CARRIER Filed Aug.V 4, 1938 INVENTOR /V/ch'oms @vnu/ve BY Y ATTO RNEY Patented Aug.`12, 1941 Y N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Zmba Beverage Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporafA tion of New York Application August i4, 193s, seria1No.223,oa9

1 claim. (cl. 224-45) 'I'his invention relates to devices for carrying Orr-supporting bottles of various kinds and classes, and particularly bottles having remov- I able closure caps; and the object of the invention is to provide a supporting device ofl the character described made from heavy `paper or light cardboard which is die cut, printed, lithographed, or otherwise characterized, and then folded to form a means for carrying, handling, or assembling bottled goods either individually or collectively so as to facilitate the handling and packaging as well as delivery thereof; a further object being to provide a device of the character described having an apertured portion from which or by means of which the device including the bottle or bottles thereon may be suspended or carried; a further object' being to provide'a device of the character described wherein a number of bottles may be collectively packed in a carton or shipping case with the carrying lor suspending device attached thereto or to a number of bottles in a compact and collapsed manner and whereby the group of bottles may be simultaneously removed from the carton or shipping casein the removal of the supporting device therefrom thereby simplifying the handling of merchandise of this kind by the merchant and also facilitating the packing and carrying thereof a still further object being to provide an improved method of constructing a device of the character described `so as to adapt the same for use in a' continuous assemblage upon a multiplicity of bottles moved relatively thereto so as to` expedite the assemblage of the device to groups of bottles, and further to incorporating a device of this character upon bottled goods in the operation of capping or sealing the same; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specied which is simple and economical in construction, and which may be produced and used in accordance with the method more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective sectional viewv of a shipping box or case illustrating an arrangement of one of my improved supporting devices upon a number of b'ottles arranged therein with the device in collapsed position.

Fig. 2 is an end and sectional view through the device shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the bottles removed from the carton or case with the parts in position as carried in the hand.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail'view of one of a number of sections of the supporting device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and also illustrated in Figs. and 7.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a blank from which the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is formed.

Fig. 5 is a plan Viewof another form of blank which I employ.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of the device as seen in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a method of applying a continuous supporting strip to two series of conveyed bottles prior to forming individual supporting sections or devices such as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a modified form of construction which may be employed in a process similar to that illustrated in Fig. 7, but incorporating a different type of supporting strip or sheet; and,

Fig. 9 is a detail view of a part of the strip employed in Fig. 8.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing I have shown a plan view of a blank from which a supporting device such as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing is made. This blank, however, is similar to the blanks which will be made from the continuous sheet shown in Fig. '7 as later described. The blank consists of an oblong rectangular strip of material such as heavy paper or light cardboard. This strip or blank is scored toform a central fold line'IIl at opposite side walls of which are fold lines II dividing the central portion of the sheet into supporting sections I2, I 2a; the latter having a supplemental fold line as at IIa to provide for the collapsing of the sections I2, I2a, in the manner illustrated in Fig.

1. Outwardly of the fold lines II are other fold lines I3 which form bottle supporting flanges or naps I4 and outer lock flanges I5. The parts"or flanges III are provided with a series of semikeyhole apertures I6 consisting of a small radius I'I and a larger radius I8; the latter forming an aperture suiiicient to pass over the usual closure caps I9 such as Crown caps as applied to bottles 20 of various kinds, classes and description. The diameter of the portion I1 conforms with the reduced neck 2| of the bottle 20 beneath the cap I9 as will appear in a consideration of the sectional view in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The lock or retaining flanges I5 are provided with recessesV opening outwardly through the end of the holder.

edges thereof having inner radii 22 corresponding to the radii I'I so that when the iiap I5 ls folded upon the under surface of the flanges or parts I4, the radii 22 of said recesses will register with the radii I 1 of the apertures I5 to form a true circle. Thus wall structures are provided between both parts I4, I5, which entirely encircle the neck 2| of the bottle to form complete circumferential supports beneath the caps I9 preventing displacement of the bottles from the parts I4, I5, as will be apparent.- The outer edges Ia oi' the part I5 extend beyond the center of the radii 22 so as to reinforce the mounting of the bottles in connection with the parts I4, I5, and also prevent accidental displacement of the lock flanges or naps I5.

'I'he part I2 is cut out to form a large elongated aperture 23 for receiving the lingers of a hand; whereas the other part is cut similarly along the lines 24, but the iiap 25 is retained and folded on the line 26 so as to extend through the opening 23 in forming a reinforced nger grip as well as a non-cutting handle support for the device as will appear on a consideration of Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In coupling the carrying device shown in Fig. 4, with six bottles as at 20, it will be understood that the caps of the bottles are first passed through the large radius apertures I8. The ilaps I4 are then moved across the bottles to bring the small radii I1 onto the necks 2l of the bottles below the caps after which the ilanges or flaps I5 are simply folded downwardly and forced into position. 'Ihis operation rmly moves the bottles or the necks of the bottles into the small radii Il and thus the bottles are locked into position. When thus assembled, the six bottles may be carried collectively in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing and may be placed in a shipping case or carton such as indicated at 21 in Fig. 1

of the drawing with the supported bottles arranged in supporting compartments 28'formed between longitudinal partitions 29 and transverse partitions 30. It is understood that the mounting of the bottles in connection with the supporting device is such as to compensate for the partitions employed in the packing and shipping of the bottles. When arranged in the shipping case or carton, the parts I2, I2a are folded downwardly upon the top of the bottles as shown in Fig. 1. It will thus be seen that the device will not occupy any appreciable amount of space and thus the complete case may be shipped with the supporting or carrying device attached to each six bottles as is illustrated. In this way, the bottles may be collectively removed from the shipping case by the merchant in the sale thereof.

When the group of six bottles are carried, they will assume a position substantially similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 as viewed from the No striking of the bottles will take place in that the bottles lean toward each other when carried. It will of course be understood that the holder may be constructed to support, two, four, or any series of bottles disposed at opposite sides of the holder. It is also possible to arrange one, two or three bottles on a holder which would consist of just one half of the complete devices illustrated in Fig. 4.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated one other adaptation of the present invention which consists in providing an elongated narrow blank having score or fold lines 3| and 32 to divide the blank into a hanging or suspending end portion 33 having an elongated substantially keyhole aperture 34 therein, an intermediate portion 35 having an aperture 36 similar to the apertures I6; that is to say, provided with a small radius end portion 31 and a larger radius end portion 38. At the other end of the blank is a locking flap or ange 39 having a recess in the outer edge thereof of a radius 40 which corresponds to the radius 31 to provide when the flap 39 is folded inwardly upon the lower surface of the part 35, a circular aperture as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, which will envelope the neck of the bottle 20a shown in Fig. 6 below the cap I9a thereon. This type of construction is adapted for suspending a sample bottle or a bottle to be delivered upon the knob 4I of a door 42 partially represented in Fig.. 6. When the portion 33 is arranged upon the shank 4Ia of the knob, the bottle 2Ia will be supported substantially in the position illustrated in Fig. 6.

At this time it will be understood that bottles of various .kinds and classes'as well as various -sizes may be merchandised and distributed or carried in the manner set forth. When small sample bottles are employed, the suspending or carrying means will be proportionately constructed. However, the invention lends itself effectively to the distribution and sale and carrying of such bottled goods as beer, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks usually sold in bottles, as well as in the sale of cream, milk, and many other types of drinks. understood that the invention is appilcable for use in the sale and handling of other types of bottled goods especially when distributed as samples or when sold in groups of two or more. In all cases, the advertising or display matter may be directly applied to one or both surfaces of the device by printing, lithographing, or otherwise, as will be apparent.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing I have shown diagrammatically the method of continuously applying the holding or carrying device to a successive series of bottles in which event a long strip of cardboard or similar material 43 is provided having arranged thereon a successive series of apertures I6a, similar to the apertures I 6, corresponding series of the recesses 22a, similar to the recesses 22, and apertures or cut outs 23a, 24a, similar to 23 and 24. The corresponding score or fold lines are shown in Fig. 7, as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawing, so that the resulting cut individual holders 43a, part of one of which is shown at the right of Fig. 7, will each be the same as the holder shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawing.

With the method shown in Fig. 7, two series of bottles 20h and 20c are fed through suitable conveyors and guides 44, 45, respectively beneath the continuous strip 43. Means will be provided for rst moving the strip downwardly over the caps of the bottles. The side flanges or aps as at I5b are then folded inwardly by suitable means, or by hand if desired, to lock the bottles in position upon the strip 43; and when in the locked position, suitable means will be provided to cut the strip as at 46 intermediate each three bottles 20h, 20c, so that the resulting severedv groups will be the same as shown in Fig. 4. It will be understood in this connection that the design and arrangement of the strip 43 may be such as to provide a series of two or four bottles in this process by simply constructing and arranging the apertures 23a, 24a, to suit the particular cutting of the strip or grouping of the bottles which is desired. It will also be appar- It will also be will facilitate the use of a holder 2,252,235 ent that the 'strip 43 in addition to being diefv cut and, scored may also be printed or characterized prior to the coupling ofthe bottles therewith so 4that one continuous process will be provided. 1

In Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing another adaptation is shown in which a continuous sheet 41 is employed which differs from the sheet 43 in that the flanges I5b are omitted and substituted for the apertures l6a are circular apertures*` 48.

will also appear thatthe so-called suspending portion in addition to forming -a means for arranging advertising'matter thereon, may also be in the form of a display tag, label, instruction or direction sheet, and need not necessarily be apertured. As a matter of fact, it is within the scope of my invention to incorporate a sheet of Otherwise the strip or sheet 41 will be identical with the strip or sheet 43. In this process or continuous method of procedure, the strip 41y is arranged upon bottles 20d by first passing the necks 49 of the bottles through the apertures 48 and then afterwards applying the caps 50 to the bottles by suitable capping means as indicated diagrammatically by dot and dash lines at 5I in Fig. 8 of the drawing. In other words, the saine effect can be produced by capping the botties after the supporting sheet has been attached thereto. However, this process can be employed only Where the application of closure caps or other covers can be applied in this manner. It

will be apparent that certain merchandise requires capping and sealing under conditions which would not permit 'of the advanced mounting of the sheet 41 on the bottles.' The method'and procedure as disclosed diagrammatically in Fig. 7 would be applicable in vmost cases and could be incorporated Without material interference with .present practices of handling bottled goods.

In connection with the process disclosed in Figs. '1 and '8, it will be apparent that the packingV of bottled goods in shipping cartons is materially speeded up in that the group of bottles arranged in the holdermay be simultaneously 'set or positioned in thecarton or case which-eliminates the handling of individual bottles.

-It will also be apparent that in referringjto bottled goods, I have also had in mind products which are arranged in jars and similar containany type of package goods, the package of which of the kind under consideration. f-

y It is obvious that cuts `or perforated lines may be arranged in the flaps or iianges I5 intermediate the recesses 22 and extending to the fold line I3 to facilitate individual removal of the bottles at each side of the supporting device If desired, the iiap `may be simply torn between these recesses to accomplish the same result. It

this type which may be of a different structure or texture than that employed in` `the foldably related parts coupled with and secured upon the bottle or other article. Still further, it will be apparent that the extending portion may form a means for supporting another article in connection therewith; and in like manner, another article may be supported in the device between the folds ofthe two parts I4 and I5. To illustrate the latter, it will be apparent that if the device is arranged upon a bottle of ink, a conventional -fountain pen iillingtube may be disposed within the folds of the parts 35, 39, which parts are of sufficient dimensions to adapt the devicefor such use. 1

Having f ully described my invention what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is: t

A device for supporting an article having an enlarged and a restricted portion, said device ers; and in fact may be used in conjunction with comprising a blank cut and scored from sheet material to form asuspending part and an article-engaging part with a fold line therebetween, said article engaging part comprising one member extending integrally from the rst part and foldable with respect thereto and a second member foldable under the first named member and l integral with the end of the iirst named member, the free end of the second member being independent of said rst named part, the iirst named member having a large article-receiving apertude adapted to pass over the enlarged Portion of the article, the said, aperture having a reduced side portion conforming with approximately one half of the circumference of the restricted part of the article to be engaged, and the second named member having a segmental notcht'engnaging substantially the other half of the restricted part of .said article and servingto force the article toward the reduced portionof the aperture of the first named member, the said 4reduced portion of" the aperture andthe said notch cooperating to encircle the restricted portion of the article beneath said enlarged portion in suspending an article from said first part.

` NICHOLAS SNELLI'NG. 

